Escape From Me-Too, Me-Three Attitude Would Help County

Edinger vs. Macdonald. Mano a mano. Winner take all.

Kootenai County politics may see a race for the ages next year if Dick Edinger- or brother Ron, for that matter - opposes Republican Commissioner Bob Macdonald. Dick announced this week that he may seek higher office after his term as an Eastside Highway District commissioner expires.

The Edinger brothers and Macdonald share the same political friends and constituency. But the Edingers, while waiting for election night results last November, privately criticized Macdonald’s performance and hinted that one of them may oppose him.

Residents could use an independent voice in the commissioners office. Current officeholders - who could be nicknamed “The Chairman, Me Too and Me Three” - have voted unanimously every time but once. And Macdonald changed his vote when he realized his error.

Dr. Walter Dyce Thurston, R.I.P.

Dr. Walter Dyce Thurston was 76, but he still died too young. Typically, the St. Maries physician was trying to help someone in distress when he was killed early Tuesday. He was struck by an oncoming car after stopping in heavy rain for a stranded motorist. Thurston served his community for almost 40 years and still was working part time and making an occasional house call. He delivered 1,200 babies, treated five generations of Benewah County families and wasn’t reluctant to dispense free medical advice on St. Maries sidewalks. No wonder his services Saturday have been moved to the high school gym. There’s not a church in town that could hold his many mourners.

Baseball should blackball swizzle stick

Then, there’s D-a-a-a-rryl, D-a-a-a-rryl Strawberry, the immeasurably talented major-league baseball player who’s blown his career up his nose. He and Doc Gooden. Yet, the greedy owners keep coming back for more - though “The Straw that Stirs the Drink” has paltry totals for his last three years of work: 14 home runs, 54 RBIs and 104 games played. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner thinks those numbers are worth $850,000. But Los Angeles manager Tommy Lasorda believes Darryl belongs behind bars for drug use and tax evasion (and taking the Dodgers for millions). After all, wasn’t Pete Rose banned from baseball and Cooperstown for his little gambling problem? Darryl had better endear himself to fans before his career ends. Who knows? He may need a liver, pronto, a la “The Mick,” when his drinking - er, playing - days are over.

, DataTimes MEMO: “Hot Potatoes” is a feature of the Tuesday and Thursday Opinion pages.